May 15, 2017

Third Democrat announces bid for governor

Another New Mexico Democrat announced his run for governor. Peter DeBenedittis issued a press release Monday detailing his campaign platform.

One major point DeBenedittis highlighted in his announcement is that he is a political outsider.

“Year after year we’ve seen Democrats talk like they really want to help people during the primaries, then they run to the center for the general election,” DeBenedittis said. “And then if they win, many completely forget what they’ve campaigned on.”

Last year, DeBenedittis gained some attention with his campaign to raise state alcohol taxes to increase state revenue.

DeBenedittis, who has a Ph.D. in speech communication, criticized politicians for being “bought off” by special interest groups and named his campaign “People First” to separate himself from others running for governor.

“If people keep voting for the same old, same old, we’re going to keep getting the same old, same old,” DeBenedittis said.

Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, is term-limited and cannot run for a third consecutive term.

So far, two other Democrats have announced candidacies for governor—U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham and former television executive Jeff Apodaca.

No Republican has announced a run yet.

U.S Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican, said he is considering a run, but has not officially announced yet.

Besides largely campaigning on a higher alcohol tax, DeBenedittis also said he wants to see “healthcare for all” and use the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund to help pay for early childhood education.

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